HE IS that rarest of things, a defender with the ability of a top-class midfielder and a goal record to make some strikers blush.

Leighton Baines was at his consistent best for Everton during the 2011/12 campaign, and while others; most notably the excellent John Heitinga, and the revelation that was Nikica Jelavic, staked their claims, the player of the season goes to Kirkby’s finest.

Top scorer until the Croatian’s arrival, Baines’ contribution - both in terms of assists and penalties - was crucial as ever.

Few free kicks in the Premier League were dispatched with as much devastating aplomb as Baines’ clinical opener against Swansea at the Liberty stadium, and as the 27-year-old was reunited with Steven Pienaar down the left flank in January, he helped take Everton’s style of play onto another level.

For so long labelled England’s second best left back, few, apart from the England manager, would argue he is not now in a league of his own.